Marcus Antonius Creticus

Marcus Antonius Creticus (116 BC-71 BC) was a member of the Roman Senate and the father of Mark Antony.

Biography
Marcus Antonius Creticus was born in 116 BC, the son of the orator Marcus Antonius; he married Julia Antonia and had three sons: Mark Antony, Lucius Antonius, and Gaius Antonius. He served as praetor in 74 BC, and he received an extraordinary commission to clear the Mediterranean of pirates. He not only failed in the task, but plundered the provinces he was supposed to protect from robbery, and he was totally defeated when he attacked the pirate ally of Crete. Antonius was mockingly given the nickname "Creticus", meaning "conqueror of Crete", for his defeat, and he died in 71 BC.